Espoir 2002 Alliance finishes atop parliamentary polls in Mali

Bamako- Mali (PANA) -- The Espoir 2002 Alliance formed around former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubabacar Keita, pulled the highest score in the Mali's parliamentary elections of 28 July, totalling 56 seats in the 147-member House, according to the official results.
Keita's Rally for Mali (RPM) alone landed 42 seats mainly from the capital Bamako and the regions of Segou (centre) and Kolikoro (northwest).
The former ruling Alliance for Democracy in Mali (ADEMA) came next with 36 seats.
ADEMA's allies in the Alliance for the Republic and Democracy (ARD), also gleaned several more seats, with the Social Democratic Convention (CDS) winning 4 in Bougouni (south), the Party for Democracy and Justice (PDJ) winning one seat in Kayes (west), and the Union for Democracy (UDD) winning one seat in Nioro (north-west).
Allies that brought in more seats for Espoir 2002 include the Democratic Initiative Convention (CNID) with 10 seats, the Patriotic Movement for Renewal (MPR) with 3 seats, and the Party for Independence, Democracy and Solidarity (PIDS) with one seat.
The Convergence for Change (ACC) grouping parties that rallied behind President Amadou Toumani Toure during the presidential election, obtained 6 seats.
Against expectations the Party for African Solidarity, Democracy and Integration (SADI), until now inactive on the political scene, won 6 seats in Koutila.
Independent candidates won 6 seats, including 2 in Kenieba (south-west), 2 in Banamba (north-west), one in Kangaba (south- west) and one in Dire (north).
Seven seats are still up for grabs in Sikasso after the constitutional court cancelled the results there because of irregularities in the returns.
"A by-election would be held soon between ADEMA and Espoir 2002," said the constitutional court that examined 505 petitions on the polls.
The court declared some 80,000 votes void on account or irregularities, including "the manning of polling stations, the absence of polling booths, poor distribution of polling cards, falsification of results and campaigning on polling.
" Turnout was estimated at 25.
67 percent of the 5 million-strong electorate, compared with 23 percent in the first round of the elections.
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Since his election, President Amadou Toumani Toure has been saying he would work with the new majority in Parliament.
However, no single political party or alliance obtained an absolute majority (74 MPs), hence pundits expect an emergence of news alliances within the House.